Spirit of St. Louis

[@augnkn93043]

Good for Kermit to correctly say it was the first SOLO flight across the Atlantic. :)

[@maryrafuse2297]

Yes, because Alcock & Brown did it first, June 1919.

[@williamkeith8944]

In interests of safety, a Go Pro camera mounted on top of the fuselage and a monitor in the cabin would provide forward vision.

[@Sundsly]

Not remotely flight rated

[@cmackay81]

@@Sundsly many commercial airliners have this, so they can see what's immediately in front of them whilst taxiing

[@gordoncooper5494]

Our sixth grade elementary school class got to individually sit in the replica plane built to make the movie. The plane was in one of the blimp hangers in Tustin, CA in 1957. Our teacher, Garland Wetzel, who is retired and 94 now, still lives in the same house on Broadway Avenue, in Costa Mesa that he has lived in since 1954. I don't know how he got permission for all of us to visit and sit in the plane. It did have a periscope, no question. It was in the center of you as you sat in the chair. It was a great feeling for a sixth grader!

[@DavidCzuba]

I found out that a (now) retired Boeing machinist named John Norman is making an exact reproduction just down the road 10 minutes in Burlington, Washington. I took 3 students from my class to see it. Fantastic job. It should be ready to fly in June 2019. He's spoken with Kermit Weeks about the design, and also measured the original in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in D.C. Check out his progress on jneaircraft.com

[@justforfux]

You had a great teacher !

[@michaelreilly1310esq]

You were so fortunate to sit in that plane. When it was first built they flew it to Roosevelt Field LI where Lindbergh took off en route to Paris. They were doing a promotion for the upcoming movie with Jimmy Stewart. The plane was cordoned off but the guards allowed my Dad to hold me and peer inside the cockpit, 😢what a thrill for a child of 8

[@TheColinChapman]

Didn‘t the plane have some sort of periscope?

[@AdrianJayeOnline]

yup

[@AmpedReactions]

Yes, although I can't figure out why he doesn't mention it.

[@Chrisjude100]

You can see the hole in the panel where it was fitted (upper left side), but it's not mounted here.

[@TheColinChapman]

Christopher Hayes thanks, you‘re right, the panel tells the story.

[@bbfissingle1715]

The periscope is virtually useless so he probably didn't feel the need to to mention it.

[@Job433]

I never noticed the tremendous wing span (46 feet !) and how far apart the main landing gear are. I think SoSL is my favorite exhibit in the NASM along with that other amazing ship the NC-4.

[@diddlebug7241]

Those extra large wings had to accommodate a lot of gas and were designed for that kind of weight. I wouldn't doubt it if the plane was overweight though designed for that much gas.

[@michaelreilly1310esq]

Me also

[@7775Kevin]

Wow that landing must be terrifying. A lot of respect for his ability to manage that. I would never try it even if offered the chance. Nice reproduction. Looks right on.

[@michaelreilly1310esq]

Unspeakably cool. Goosebumps

[@kbcoop3249]

Landing sounds like a nightmare

[@GRIZZLYSGEAR]

You don't use the periscope to help with landing?

[@bruceghent8776]

What about he periscope that was installed so that he could see directly ahead? No mention of it here.

[@DavidN23Skidoo]

It's at 2:46 and 2:55.

[@Deuce_and_a_half]

Apparently it wasn't very useful in the actual flight, at least that's what I've heard

[@BigWheelHawaii]

Just another great video,,,, great...

[@crystalperry6370]

The plane had a periscope.

[@adrianlarkins7259]

Rather you than me flying that with no forward vision Don't you even have a periscope? Lindy did.

[@mattinsley1721]

He does but even Lindy said it was basically useless.

[@sugershakify]

Great line from the James Stewart movie: "Dont you think you'll need some help up there ?" ... "Nope, God would just get in the way"

[@FantasyOfFlight]

Don't know. :/

[@garypugh1153]

Cannot imagine starring at the panel for 33 hrs. ...🇺🇸

[@FantasyOfFlight]

Yes, that's how you can see forward since the fuel tank is right behind the nose.

[@adolinomilan159]

Parabéns ao povo americano que gosta de preservar a história diferente do Brasil aonde um burocrata mandou picar e jogar no lixo um DC 3da antiga Varig avião que carregou até presidente da República mais uma vez meus parabéns ao povo americano vcs são um exemplo a ser seguido

[@maxklein329]

Makes me wonder how Lindbergh got his plane certified by the FAA :-)

[@jimmbbo]

IIRC in Lindbergh's book "Spirit of St. Louis", the fuel tank was installed forward because Lindbergh didn't want to be sandwiched between a fuel tank and the engine in a crash...

[@frankmoore993]

I used to land all the time with my head at 90° to the direction of flight. I was surprised when an airline check captain asked me "how I did it?". When landing directly into a very bright setting sun. Setting dead centre on the centre line of the runway. No biggie!

[@celtisafricana4984]

Of course modern tech allows cheating... forward, side and downwards looking HD cams, laser altimeter... and an experienced pilot on a 2-way to talk you down... What impressed me about Lindbergh's flight was that it was essentially IFR all the way with very basic instrumentation by today's standards.

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Lindbergh's primary reason, aside from a fuel balancing consideration, for not having a cockpit in front of the fuel tanks is that he did not want to be sandwiched in between the engine and the two fuel tanks in the fuselage in case of a "crack-up". You're a sure goner in that case. Typically, Lindbergh was slip into a landing, straightening out the airplane at the last moment.

[@Vsshooter]

My father fed Col. Lindberg his meals while he was visiting the 475th Fighter Group in WWII. He was trying out an aircraft that he had never flown the P-38 Lightning. He got 2 Zeros while staying with the group.

[@justforfux]

I heard he ate sandwiches with the filling made of iron filings ?

[@injectorrick3700]

I was just gonna say that Lindy had s periscope

[@Hibernicus1968]

The periscope might not have given a very good foward and down view on the landing approach -- the down part being important.

[@kingmiura8138]

WHY NOT PUT A CAMERA UP FRONT FOR LANDING?

[@legalmexican]

Interesting. Being a private pilot, I've always wondered about this plane's not having a front window.

[@MikeD-qx1kr]

He had a side sliding mirror that he could use to see forward. You can even see the hole in this replica. They still teach the "Lindbergh Refernce" in flight school meaning that when you flare on the runway and you lose sight of it, all you can do is look out on the side to guide you through touch down.

[@MrJDP1974]

I have a large collection of air to air photos of the 1977 reproduction as it came through Dayton, Ohio. I was a bit too young to recall the event myself. My father photographed the airplane as it toured the area for several aerial appearances around greater Dayton. It was accompanied by a gaggle of about 8 or 10 Waco biplanes of various models, mainly UPF-7's but also the WACO CRG as well as the only flying UMF-3.

[@charlibryant5543]

Beautiful. Can not imagine flying it. Eeee!!

[@poly_hexamethyl]

If I was going to build an airplane according to an old design, I think I would choose one that I could see out of, and that I didn't have to fly sideways to land... :-) :-)

[@halamkajohn]

mail pilot with possibly many runs with mail inside. had to win the prize. no experience with a drop tank. sometimes fuel pumps.

[@phlodel]

Charles Lindburgh and Kermit Weeks could fly it.

[@davidcardin3271]

How did the plane get back to the usa? The original one from france ? I have been looking but can't fine it. I know charles came back on a ship that is what president wanted at the time

[@xsbuilder1]

Here is an idea for "safer" flying of this replica. Put a small video camera on a strut with a line to a good size monitor (laptop?) in the cockpit. Should give a good view forward and greatly reduce the "pucker factor" on landing. Okay, make the rig easily removable so the a/c remains authentic when not being flown.

[@kennethroyer9949]

Charles Lindbergh never made the flight from New York to Paris. It was FAKED and has been known among informed circles for multiple decades. No front windshield, no compass, and no radio with a massive gas tank so far forward making the plane incredibly nose heavy requiring constant rear flaps up reducing performance significantly. Did he fly across the Atlantic from New York to Paris by dead reckoning NOT A CHANCE. A TOTAL HOAX. The entire Lindbergh clan was nothing but notorious con artists this is why Army Intelligence used him as a operative he not just enjoyed playing the part he loved it! Who made the first hop from New York to Paris non-stop?? Don't know but you can bet it was a tri-motor with pilot and co-pilot plus a navigator/radio operator with a compass and radio and just for grins a front windshield! mileswmathis.com/lindy.pdf Cheers!

[@mattinsley1721]

What? Kenneth, There were a couple of teams try to accomplish the same flight that met with disaster in the months before Lindbergh managed to do it. And yes there were compass and navigation aids aboard the aircraft. The radio was left behind because the typical radio set of the day weighed in at about 400 pounds. The plane was not nose heavy either. The fuel load was placed on the center of gravity to balance the aircraft.

[@greganderson2013]

I'm a Teledyna Ryan Aero Past employee, the old buildings are gone now along Lindbergh field, the production floor was converted into NC and CNC machine shop for machining Apache airframes for hughes helicopter corp. the air compressor we used was from 1903 and still running at the time i worked there, a lot of history is gone all we have left now are the planes

[@lorenzodunn3226]

Excellent film footage and sound. Great commentary.

[@superancientmariner1394]

I stand to be corrected but did the original not have a periscope that slid out to the left for forward vision and was located in the oval hole on the panel.?

[@Crashman2]

Yup, his outside view was periscope-only. Not sure where it was on the panel, but it WAS retractable to reduce parasite drag.

[@christaselig6735]

Charles Lindbergh didn't wear a ponytail.

[@dancetweety10]

The first people ever to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean in June 15, 1919, were Alcock and Brown. So he only was the first to do it solo and he went a bit further to paris.

[@daytonstokes6900]

Charles landed in cali. Then went to paris and sold it .new owner flew off went over a river and crashed it in the river never been recovered total lose even the one in the museum is a replica.i am related to the top engine mechanic that hand built 7 engines for charles including st louise and design.the dayton family had no men to carry the last name reason for my name.😅

[@jamescaputo5095]

Nothing about Lindbergh's landing at night in bourget. How did he control it.

[@rg5252-y2v]

Don't tell them about the periscope that lets you see forward, that helps. 2:55

[@williamellis3961]

Beautiful plane. I have heard that this plane is difficult to fly.

[@billbright1755]

Talk about flying blind.

[@danmathers141]

Would a periscope have helped? How about mirrors?

[@G-26real]

HE SAID A, BRING OUT THE SPRIT OF SAINT LOUIS!

[@ransome51]

That engine was amazing and only 24 years after the Wright Flyer..

[@otacon451]

2:55 is that a sort of periscope? I would definitely put one in that plane.

[@tallmanfromcornwall1229]

Getting some more context for landing this thing, it brings new light to the fact that he had to land this plane on a field he'd never seen before... at night... after not sleeping for 3 days!!!!! INSANE.

[@NVRAMboi]

I can't believe I didn't know that. One might think in all of the films that have been done about the SoSL and that flight, someone might have mentioned, "oh yeah, btw, he was essentially flying blind with no front field of vision/view." That's kind of a big deal.

[@BCSchmerker]

+KermitWeeksBlogVideos *The turn-and-bank was the first gyroscopic instrument perfected;* Lindbergh had Ryan Airlines (San Diego, CA, USA) install it at panel center, above a T-inclinometer installation. The coaxial-pointer altimeter must not have been invented when Ryan got the NYP build contract, as all of the airspeed gauge, altimeter (with vernier barosetting), and tachometer are single-needle. The oil pressure and temperature and fuel pressure gauges and the clock are the same size; Lindbergh had an experimental fuel-flow meter built in the Ryan instrument shop, but the technology of the day wasn't up to the task. The Pioneer earth-inductor compass was the first known application of a course-deviation indicator (nowadays associated with VOR/ILS, TACAN, area navigation, and long-range navigation). Donald Hall designed a periscope for the NYP that stuck out the left side of the fuselage; the view window is alongside the CDI. One conventional instrument unique to the NYP is the reverse-printed magnetic compass above the headrest, read via a mirror above the CDI.

[@gregraines8082]

It was designed to be landed once in Paris.

[@kevinstephenson3880]

I was fortunate to sit in the Spirit of St. Louis at the original San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park before it so tragically burned down destroying their whole collection in the late 70's. The airplane was the replica that was built for the Spirit of St. Louis movie starring Jimmy Stewart. On that day I met "Dapper" Dan Burnett. An original Ryan Aircraft Co. employee. He was the one that thought up the idea for everyone that built the airplane autograph the interior of the prop spinner. I'm so grateful to my father who "Drug me around airports" from age 9 seeing magnificent aircraft, people's projects and so many aviation notables. Thanks dad for my gift of wings; But for love the wonderful men and women who flew them and shared themselves and their aircraft with me. In the early 80's after my father decided not to continue flying; I still had the burning desire to fly. The situation wasn't right for fix- wing aircraft where I lived, so I got into hot air ballooning. Never regretted that decision but the aviation community is incredible no matter what you fly! Enjoyed the video as always! More than anything, flying with my dad in our Beechcraft Staggerwing. You knew you were "The high hog at the trough" when you flew into an unfamiliar airport and we're the center attraction at almost every airport. Miss those days.

[@halamkajohn]

more open space to land. more mail then.

[@youtubetruth9570]

That is a chair...not a seat...but this plane absolutely amazing...because they have no front window...and how did they fly this plane from new york to paris nonstop?

[@MrRexquando]

One plane I never want to fly. I'd be too worried about taking out radio tower.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Very cool. I wonder how many reproductions there are. I've seen various yt videos but I don't know if they were all different planes or not, including this one.

[@daveschwi3767]

I would consider a a camera in the nose. They are so small these days you would never even see it mounted

[@tomservo5347]

Charles Lindbergh trimmed off the corners and edges of his maps to shed weight.

[@SquillyMon]

The Periscope had been invented by this time... Hows about a Periscope at the very least ?

[@scottyb68]

Seems like some type of periscope setup would have been helpful.

[@jedidrummerjake]

Beautiful bird! Love it!!!

[@scottfranco1962]

You didn't mention he had a periscope to see forward...

[@klatu6969]

the guy who flew the flight of the phonix died in that plane paul manx also flew the replica st. l;louis. bet the movie studio knos heard the plane was rudder heavy

[@kennyburg5882]

No periscope

[@timhiltonsuperstar]

He had a periscope for looking forward

[@charlibryant5543]

Woah

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

The original Spirit of St. Louis had 450 gallons of fuel for the flight, not 400.

[@antoniq9000]

Amazing

[@imapaine-diaz4451]

a real minimalist aircraft for sure!

[@ryandyc]

Isn't there a periscope?

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Yes, but rarely used by Lindbergh. Not used for most takeoff/landings.

[@klatu6969]

wheres the one used in the movie with jimmy stuart?

[@machia0705]

In the Jimmy Stewart film, was this or another replica used? And if so , did Jimmy Stewart get any flying time in her?

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Another replica. Not sure about Stewart flying the replica. The pilot in the film was the legendary Paul Mantz, who was killed during a flight in making the film "The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)".

[@kennethroyer9949]

Jimmy Stewart was a man of multiple talents. Not just successful as an actor but was also heavily involved in Army Intelligence and later when formed the CIA. He retired as a General. Playing the part was in order to continue the propaganda that Lucky Lindy actually flew from New York to Paris. IT NEVER HAPPENED; A TOTAL HOAX. The U.S. wanted to win the prize so they cheated. Why Lucky Lindy Lindbergh? His entire family was a notorious bunch of con artists. He just didn't enjoy his new acting job; he loved it. And agent Jimmy Stewart sealed the propaganda!

[@jamesevans9007]

@@kennethroyer9949 Evidence?

[@legojoe12345]

Thats Really Cool I have never heard of a flying reproduction of the Spirit of Saint Louis.

[@jamesevans9007]

A reproduction was constructed for the 1956 James Stewart movie 'Spirit of St. Louis'.

[@96thaerospacemedia48]

James Evans this dude commented that almost a decade ago and now you’re answering lmao he ain’t gonna see it

[@jamesevans9007]

@@96thaerospacemedia48 Perhaps you're unaware that others continually read these remarks. Some, like yourself, have even commented. Evidently, that hadn't occurred to you.

[@96thaerospacemedia48]

James Evans I suppose they are time capsules in their own way

[@legojoe12345]

James Evans and even if the original commenter commented a decade ago, he can still see the reply! Thanks James!

[@pizzasubs]

Great looking plane, just missing the flags on the cowling by the propeller on the front of the plane......but other than that perfect reproduction........

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Magnificent Replica !😊